Ferd Lewis: Fans, like opponents, better watch John Ursua before he breaks away

It was early in last week’s University of Hawaii football game at Brigham Young and the NFL scouts, aligned in a long row, were just settling into their seats and getting reacquainted with one another.

Then, Rainbow Warrior slotback John Ursua made a short catch and mass scribbling ensued.

Ursua, whom BYU coach Kalani Sitake described as “scary (good),” is making a lot of people take note.

Hawaii fans would also do well to savor each of his subsequent catches, from tonight’s game with Nevada on out, too. Because you can envision a scenario where there might not be many more opportunities to see him in UH colors, especially at Aloha Stadium, where just two regular-season home games remain after tonight.

Ursua is a redshirt junior and eligible to return in 2019, should he choose. And, therein, is the looming question: Will he?

For his part, Ursua has said recently that he is just concentrating on making the most of this season for the Warriors (6-2) and will consider his options at the appropriate time.

But it is also clear that Ursua’s case is different than most because he is 24 years old and will turn 25 in January, the result of a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. With NFL aspirations, sticking around for yet another season, older is not necessarily deemed better under the circumstances.

Moreover, he has overcome one season-ending injury and, in weighing his future, can be seen as having little to gain and, potentially, much to lose by sticking around and making his 5-foot, 10-inch, 175-pound frame a target for a senior season.

Ursua has invested much in making this a signature season. The Cedar High (Saratoga, Utah) graduate via Kealakehe High, has worked painstakingly for more than nine months put himself in a position to pick up where he had left off in 2017 before a torn knee ligament cost him the second half of a promising season.

At the time of the injury against San Jose State, he was leading the Football Bowl Subdivision in receiving yards (130.6) per game and was second in receptions per game (9.2).

And the offseason work has paid off for UH’s most exciting receiver since Greg Salas (2007-10). Heading into tonight’s game with the Wolf Pack, Ursua is perched prominently among several statistical categories again, leading the FBS in receiving yards (890) and touchdowns. He leads the Mountain West Conference in six categories and has five games of 100 yards or more in receptions.

As opponents have made adjustments to slow down what had been the FBS’ leading passing attack, Ursua has proven able to get separation and hold onto the ball while continuing to make catches despite attempts at suffocating coverage. More than that, he relishes the increasingly difficult weekly challenges as a prime target of opposing defenses.

As Army coach Jeff Monken put it in resignation, “Nobody stops that (guy).”

Witness nine catches for 89 tough yards at BYU, including the fourth-quarter touchdown reception.

The quick-change moves and acceleration bursts Ursua has displayed so far this season might also soon come to symbolize his days at UH: gone before you know it.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.